Your thoughts about this being a grave may be correct, but I doubt it.It would be interesting to see the position of the layout. Ten feet by four feet is a mighty unusual grave, even if more than one person were buried in it. Is the person four feet tall and several bodies layed out the length of it? Or are there two bodies by two bodies? Or is there one body with a lot of old merchandise thrown in? See what I mean?

If the rock were hauled up from the local stream, I would think of other things. You didn't say how high the rocks were above the ground. A Mound? Is the grave on the side of a hill or on flat land?

With the dimensions given, I could also be given to thinking there may be something else involved. A hidden shaft? Could be. Indian ceremonial? I doubt it. Pointer location? It's doubtful. Grave site? I doubt it. Treasure location? Like you say, mineralized rock or maybe a cache that is used by someone as a holding area working in the mountains.

Everyone has good ideas, and it sound like most of them are morally correct. I would suggest maybe starting about half way up its length, and remove stones one at a time, testing with the metal detector. If they are as hot as you think they may be, take a few back and have them assayed.

It is not unknown to take the tailings from a mine and throw them into a creek or an arroyo. What better way of getting rid of signs for a mine. Indians my have made a feeble stab at hiding the mine by hauling rocks out of the creek and back filling the shaft. Quien Sabe?

Another thing you might think about would be that if the rocks really came out of the creek or arroyo, maybe they are ore bearing from a source higher up.

Debating it here will never give you an answer.

• Re: Old Graves Terry / whipstik 18:47:55 1/09/2000 (0)